“We estimate to hire 400 people in the first year in Portugal. This is our goals for the 30 stores that we plan to open in Portugal”, revealed Jorge Barrie.

During the presentation of the store, located in the Coimbra Retail Park, in Eiras, which will employ around 15 people, Pepco's Iberian manager told journalists that they chose Coimbra because of its "strategic location", since it is between Porto and Lisbon.

“It is in the centre and from there we can expand better”, he concluded, although he did not mention the value of the investment carried out in Coimbra and planned for the rest of the country.

After Coimbra, the retailer plans to reach Albufeira, Olhão, Elvas and Tavira by the summer, followed by Porto, Aveiro, Braga, Lisbon, among other strategic locations, by the end of the year.

The pace of development of the stores in Portugal, which will offer clothing for children and adults, toys and household products, “will be fast”.

“The brand is constantly looking for potential stores in areas between 400 and 1,000 square meters, which will be located in shopping centres or ''retail parks'', located close to the main traffic routes, close to residential areas, in visible places and with access from main roads”, said the Polish retailer.